Human Resources

Lake Forest College, Department of Psychology, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Psychology to begin August 2022.  We seek to hire a candidate who holds a Ph.D. (or is on track to defend their dissertation) in developmental psychology.  We are especially interested in candidates who have expertise, teaching, or research interests that relate directly to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.   

Candidates should have broad training in psychology, demonstrated excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level, and evidence of scholarly productivity commensurate with experience. Applicants should expect to teach three undergraduate courses per semester. Candidates should expect to teach some courses in their respective areas of expertise (e.g., Developmental Psychology; and new courses) and also contribute to our fundamental courses (e.g., Introduction to Psychological Science lecture and/or lab; Research Methods & Statistics I & II with lab; Senior Seminar). Classes are small (typically 15-30 students).   

Our curriculum is focused on psychological science, with heavy emphases on research design, analysis, and interpretation of research, and is designed to strengthen scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills. We attract high-quality students: our seniors routinely score in the top 10-15% nationally on the Psychology Major Field Test and 58% of our students have gone on to graduate school during the last 20 years. The Psychology Department and the Biology Department jointly run the Neuroscience Program and many of our courses serve the Neuroscience Major and health professions. We place high value on faculty-student interactions both in the classroom and in the laboratory. An ideal candidate will demonstrate a clear understanding of teaching and research at a liberal arts institution.   

At Lake Forest College, the quality of a faculty member’s teaching is the most important criterion for evaluation, but an active research program also is important. Candidates will be expected to develop an active research program leading to publication with undergraduates in peer-reviewed journals. Lab space in a new science center and research start-up funds will be provided. Candidates who pass third-year review will earn a half-year sabbatical at full pay, in preparation for tenure review. Candidates will have ample opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching and research collaborations at the College. Psychology courses are cross-listed in many programs, including African American Studies, Environmental Studies, Social Justice, and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies.  

A highly selective liberal arts college located on Chicago’s North Shore, Lake Forest College enrolls approximately 1,600 students from more than 40 states and from more than 70 countries. Lake Forest is one of the most diverse small colleges in the Midwest with nearly 40% of our student body comprised of domestic minority and international students. The majority of our STEM pool is female and also includes a significant number of first generation and traditionally underrepresented students. Lake Forest College embraces diversity and encourages applications from women, members of historically underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Lake Forest College has been recognized as a top college by U.S. News & World Report, including #2 in the nation for Social Mobility and #33 as a Best Value college. Princeton Review ranks the College #4 for best science lab facilities, among other top distinctions. 

In a single PDF, please send the following: 1) a cover letter that describes your motivation for applying to Lake Forest College and explains how a liberal arts environment dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion aligns with your teaching philosophy, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) teaching and research statements, 4) sample syllabi and evidence of teaching effectiveness, and 5) representative (p)reprints. Please request that three letters of reference be sent separately. All application materials and letters of reference should be sent to the following email address: psychdevelopmental2021@mx.lakeforest.edu.    

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled but must be received by September 15, 2021 to be assured full consideration.